I really like the trade to Oakland. Seems like Jerry Jones had too many "overachievers" and decided to trade Ryan for one of the more prominent bust players of the past several years.

Jon Gruden signed Jordy Nelson, traded for Switzer, and also flirted with Eric Decker. (It's borderline obscene that Decker, still in the prime of his career as one of the best receivers in the NFL, hasn't been signed yet after suffering with Mariotta and the Titans last year.)

The wildcard is Martavis Bryant. The Raiders have underachieving Amari Cooper, who was bad last year other than a few games, Jordy, Bryant, and Switzer. If Cooper and Bryant start outside that leaves Jordy as the slot receiver. Switzer could end up as more of a kick returner than active receiver, but Bryant is one positive drug test away from essentially throwing away his NFL career, and of course injuries usually factor in. All in all would much rather see Ryan in Oakland with David Carr throwing to him than stagnant in Dallas and with Prescott as the QB, who took a large step backwards last year, a familiar pattern for the few black QBs who start off well.

It is hard to understand how the Cowboys let Switzer loose after just one season to be replaced by an overrated punk like Tavon Austin.

But I see no reason why Switzer can't flourish in Oakland. He will have Jordy guiding him and David Carr is one of the best young QB's out there.

There is still this dark shadow hanging over black QB's when it comes to white WR's. As Don mentioned above, Carr is easily preferable to Prescott.

For a while two seasons back it looked as if Prescott and Cole Beasley were really forming quite a duo. But that idea went out the window during the latter half of that season in a flash. That negative vibe carried through ALL of last season.

Which still begs the question? Can a white WR flourish with a black QB and over the years the answer has clearly been NO. That could change but until it does I remain skeptical. It seems that black QB's are WIRED not to throw the ball to white WR's.

The possible semi exception is Cam Newton. He has certainly jelled with TE Greg Olsen over the years. And he teamed up well with CM last season as CM caught a lot of passes for a RB. But there is the rub. He was playing pitch with CM and TE pass patterns are generally more rudimentary than WR pass patterns. Newton has back up WR Bersin but the sample is too small with him. Even if I accept the notion that Newton could form a close bond with a white WR the facts remain that in the NFL black QB's hamper the progress of white WR's.

Until that terrible trend is reversed I remain skeptical that black QB's can coexist with white WR's. Not saying it is impossible but what is that saying, "show me the money."

There are rumors that Martavis Bryant is going to get suspended again. Considering he's already had a one-year suspension, another one might effectively end his NFL career. This will instantly benefit Ryan Switzer, and possibly Jordy Nelson, though Jordy was already going to be heavily used. Jon Gruden likes Switzer, so if Bryant is out of the picture he may be used heavily in the passing game. From an article:

After Jon Gruden opted to part ways with talented yet (formerly?) disgruntled pass-catcher Michael Crabtree in favor of veteran Jordy Nelson, it made waves. But Gruden and the Raiders weren't done there. During the 2018 NFL Draft, the team opted to trade a third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for wideout Martavis Bryant, while also trading disappointing defensive end Jihad Ward to the Dallas Cowboys for second-year receiver/returner Ryan Switzer.

Unfortunately, there's some concern over Bryant's immediate future, as Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal revealed. While that's a different story and one that seems completely up in the air at this point, there's still a positive takeaway from OTAs and minicamp, even if the Raiders do get bad news on the Bryant front.

Multiple players have stood out for the Silver and Black this offseason, but the less-talked-about acquisition in Switzer has actually earned some rave reviews from Gruden over the past few weeks. As The Athletic's Vic Tafur quoted, the Raiders coach stated that the former North Carolina standout "has been a force in the slot" to this point in offseason practices.

It's obviously a great sign to see the Raiders have a plethora of options at wideout entering the 2018 season. While Amari Cooper and Nelson seem to be the clear-cut options as the top-two receivers, Switzer is doing his all to prove that he's not just a great returner, which we saw flashes of during his rookie season with the Cowboys. These comments from Gruden and the strong play by the second-year pro could certainly point to a bigger role than originally anticipated for Switzer.

Switzer caught 96 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns in his final year with the Tar Heels, so the talent and upside are obviously there. Don't be surprised if Switzer is not only on Oakland's 53-man roster, but also winds up seeing some legitimate playing time in 2018.

Which still begs the question? Can a white WR flourish with a black QB and over the years the answer has clearly been NO. That could change but until it does I remain skeptical. It seems that black QB's are WIRED not to throw the ball to white WR's.

The possible semi exception is Cam Newton. He has certainly jelled with TE Greg Olsen over the years.

Click to expand...

The list of white pass-catchers who've achieved a 1,000-yard season with a non-white QB at the helm is quite short. Off the top of my head:

Greg Olsen / Cam Newton in 2016

Greg Olsen / Cam Newton in 2015

Greg Olsen / Cam Newton in 2014

Kevin Curtis / Donovan McNabb in 2007.

Drew Bennett / Steve McNair* in 2004. (NOTE: McNair only appeared in 8 games that year. Most of Bennett's yardage came courtesy of white backup QB, Billy Volek).

The best game ever for a black QB / white WR duo. Kevin Curtis has 205 yards and 3 TD's...

There it is in BLACK and WHITE. A startling situation especially if you factor in that Olsen is a TE and really doesn't count. And the McNabb to Curtis combination only clicked for one season. Based on his stats Curtis missed half of the following season and quickly faded from view after 2008.

I know Curtis played for the Rams and that hideous Eagles special uniform he is wearing in the video clip threw me for a loop.

We know that there seems to be more black QB's starting in college and that there are more black high school QB prospects than ever now.

Will this eventually lead to more black NFL starting QB's? And if that is the case will the other skill positions remain mostly black? Deep down I don't think the NFL wants a complete black take over.

If there are more black QB's and that is balanced by having more skill white players (RB, WR, DB) then I can live with it if black QB's start throwing the ball to white WRs.

And until we have concrete evidence that black QBs can help white WRs flourish I will remain skeptical. I would have to see a consistent pattern to reverse my reservations. Not saying it is impossible but based on the pathetic stats we have it is difficult to assume things will "work out."

After His World Got 'flipped Upside Down,' Ryan Switzer Ecstatic About Opportunity With Raiders

by Scott Bair

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Ryan Switzer in last year's fourth round, creating a realistic expectation he'd wear the star through his rookie contract at least.

That's why a late April call from Jerry Jones came as such a shock. The North Carolina product was headed to the mall with his wife when his life changed by news that he had been traded to the Raiders for defensive lineman Jihad Ward right after the 2018 NFL draft.

"Just the snap of the fingers and your world gets flipped upside down," Switzer said June 13, during Raiders minicamp. "It is the nature of this business. I'm understanding that. Ultimately, I realized that everything happens for a reason. I'm here where I'm supposed to be and happy to be here."

Moving is never fun. Having a spouse forced to change jobs isn't ideal.

Neither was his offensive role in Dallas.

The dynamic receiver and return man was stuck behind Cole Beasley in the slot rotation, with several ahead of him on the depth chart. He was targeted seven times as a rookie, with just six receptions for 41 yards to his credit.

He was a special teams stalwart and the Cowboys' return man.

Switzer will be a special teams fixture again in Oakland, but the North Carolina product has a real chance to impact Jon Gruden's offense. That opportunity was enhanced during a standout offseason program where he often worked with the first unit.

"Ryan Switzer has really caught my eye," Gruden said, unprompted. "Switzer has come in here and not only been a punt returner, kick returner, he's come in and been a force as a slot receiver. He's really done well."

That praise came after a solid spring, which must be succeeded by quality in training camp and preseason games.

Switzer has worn silver and black since May, with time to analyze this change of scenery. It's clearly the best thing for him.

"No question. I'm ecstatic to be here, especially on the offensive side of the ball," Switzer said. "I think you look at the great slot receivers in this league and all of them have got great outside guys around you. That's what makes the middle of the field so deadly, is when you've got outside receivers who can put pressure, not only on corners but safeties. That leaves me to deal with nickel (cornerbacks) and linebackers. We've got a plethora of them. We've got All-Pro's on the outside. I think it's going to be special for me here. I'm looking forward to helping this team win and contributing."

I'm happy for Switzer because he is definitely capable of not just getting attention from opposing defenses but making a serious difference in that offence in Oakland. And Gruden already sees it for sure.

I'd love to see him become a favorite target of Carr and burn gaping holes in D's across the league. (And it'd be nice to see him scorch some yards on PR and as a KR.)

"Deceptive speed" nothing!...he'll be daring commentators/play by play guys to use the usual White guy descriptions...

Ryan Switzer got hurt early in his first professional training camp. A hamstring injury took him out of most preseason work, and stole valuable prep time required to meld with Dallas' offense. The Cowboys' 2017 fourth-round receiver was relegated to special teams work, with just six catches for 41 yards all season.

That wasn't the NFL debut he hoped for. It certainly wasn't vintage Switzer, a standard set during four excellent seasons at North Carolina. He used speed, smarts and elusiveness to collect 1,226 yards of total offense and six touchdowns as a senior with the Tar Heels.

Being unproductive was a new thing, a wrong he planned to right in Year 2. The Cowboys didn't give him that chance. He was traded to Oakland for defensive tackle Jihad Ward shortly after the NFL Draft, an upsetting turn that turned out to be a golden opportunity.

Switzer has been the team's primary slot receiver early in training camp, and should be an integral offensive weapon in Jon Gruden's offense.

"That's big for me. I need to get back to my ways," Switzer said after Friday's practice. "I'm going on two years removed from being an All-ACC receiver and setting school records. Last year, that just got thrown by the wayside. I'm really looking forward to getting back to those ways."

The Raiders would love that. They don't want to use him as a gadget player, either. Switzer's a standard slot receiver, someone available on the interior to keep chains moving. He likely would've been further down the depth chart in Dallas, working behind primary slot receiver Cole Beasley.

"This opportunity presented itself out here, and I really can't tell you…this isn't just player speak," Switzer said. "I really am excited about the chance I have to put myself on the map and help this team win, to show people who I really am as a receiver."

Switzer remains in the mix returning punts and kickoffs. Dwayne Harris is his primary competition in that arena, and his roster spot is less certain heading into the preseason slate.

The Raiders need help returning punts, and are clearly looking for something different in the slot. Seth Roberts was the slot receiver and established No. 3 guy the past two seasons, but hasn't been working with the top units in camp. He had several clutch catches in recent seasons, but drops proved troublesome too often in 2017.

Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson will move inside at times, especially when Martavis Bryant enters the pattern. Switzer feels comfortable with mental rigors associated with Jon Gruden's scheme, and has melded well with quarterback Derek Carr.

"You have to be ready for the checks, you have to be ready for hot (routes) at all times," Switzer said. "I think that's part of my strengths. I can win in man-to-man coverage. I can win one-on-one, and I can recognize coverages and find what hopes to hit. That's what I can put to good use this year."

Nelson's helping him do it. The position group's elder statesman keeps teammates focused on little details required to sustain excellent. Switzer has found the advice invaluable, and views Nelson as a positive role model.

"He has been a great help, and someone I've leaned on since I got here," Switzer said. "He's ultimately done what I want to emulate, playing 10-plus years, winning a Super Bowl, catching touchdowns and making a lot of money."

He'd like one more thing – to find a home.

"This league can take you a lot of places, and you want to find an opportunity where you can be there for the long haul," he said. "That's what I wanted to do in Dallas. It didn't work out, and now I'm here trying to do the same thing."